'Give us till December 31 to update documents'

Dhaka Road Transport Owners Association (DRTOA) yesterday requested the government to give them time until December 31 to update their vehicles' documents.

“If owners fail to update their documents within December 31, action can be taken [against owners]. Like [the offer given regarding] driving licence, we are requesting to give us time till December 31 to update documents,” Khondaker Enayet Ullah, general secretary of DRTOA, said.

He was speaking at the special general meeting of DRTOA at Mohanagar Natya Mancha in the capital's Gulistan. The meeting was held to discuss how public transport can be operated in the city in a more disciplined way.

Enayet made the request after around a dozen bus owners told the meeting that they were facing problems as law enforcers are being strict about checking documents, following the student protests for safe roads.

Following the request of transport owners and workers, last month the government allowed until December 31 to meet the requirement of experience for licence to drive medium and heavy vehicles.

A person having a professional driving licence for light vehicles and one year of experience can now drive medium-sized vehicles. Similarly, a person having a professional driving licence for medium-sized vehicles can operate heavy vehicles until December 31, as per the gazette issued by the Road Transport and Bridges Ministry on August 16.

Enayet said the number of bus owners wanting to update their documents exceeds the capacity of the two offices of Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA), which provide fitness and other clearance.

“I want to make the request to the road transport and bridges ministry through the media,” he said, amidst applause from transport owners. 

Enayet said they have held meetings with transport owners separately, sent letters to them and even formed four vigilance teams to bring discipline in the transport sector in Dhaka city.

“As we didn't get expected response, we have convened today's special general meeting,” he said, adding, “All of you [owners] have lodged complaints against different forces, organisations and drivers, but you have not admitted your faults.”

Enayet said he will talk to Dhaka Metropolitan Police about their allegations soon and if the police file case against a bus even after having all necessary documents, he will personally deal with the matter.

“However, an owner has to take responsibility if his vehicle does not have necessary documents and/or recruits a driver without proper licence,” he added.

Eanyet also said there is a serious shortage of drivers eligible to drive heavy vehicles and a lack of facility to train drivers.

He said the executive committee of their organisation has already decided to abolish the system of daily contracts with drivers and their helpers to operate buses in the city. 

Around 2,100 transport owners present at the meeting yesterday supported the executive committee's decision. 

Beside transport owners, several transport worker leaders spoke at the meeting and emphasised on forging unity among owners and workers, considering what they claimed to be “the toughest time following several road accidents and student protests”.

Meanwhile, transport owners strongly protested the proposal to bring all buses under six companies to bring discipline on city roads.

When Sheikh Mohammad Sabuj Uddin, owner of Mohona Paribahan Ltd, said the initiative of the late DNCC Mayor Annisul Huq to bring all buses under six companies has to be implemented, other owners started to shout, “No, no!”

At one stage, Sabuj said “sorry” and withdrew his proposal.

Later, Eanyet Ullah said they had agreed to the initiative and will not disagree if their proposals in this regard are kept.

The government recently formed a committee led by DSCC Mayor Sayeed Khokon to implement the plan.

Transport owners Haji Abul Kalam, Md Abul Kalam and worker leaders Abdul Wadud Nayon, Sadiqur Rahman Hiru, among others, spoke at the meeting moderated by DRTOA's organising secretary Mahbubur Rahman.